Precipitation, predators may be key in ecological regulation of infectious disease
UW Assistant Professor John Orrock led a study examining the infection rate of hantavirus among wild deer mice. The study found that three factors could account for the different infection rates throughout the eight islands of study: rainfall, predator diversity, and island size and shape. The study represents the first to provide evidence to support the hypothesis that predators play an important ecological role in regulating disease, or that predators “are good for your health.”
Outcomes
The hantavirus, or Sin Nombre virus, is a dangerous and often fatal disease in humans. In 1993, an outbreak of the Sin Nombre virus killed several people and brought national attention to the disease. As of January 1998, 70 patients have died out of 177 cases of the virus and the main carriers are deer mice.
Focus Areas
- Environment
Counties
- Statewide
Website
https://mywebspace.wisc.edu/jorrock/web/index.html
Partners
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Leader
Department or Other Unit
Department of Zoology
School or College
College of Letters & Science
Project last updated on 7/19/2012